A Texas public school district, Keller Independent School District (ISD), has implemented a new policy requiring that students be referred to by pronouns matching their biological sex as listed on their birth certificates, regardless of their gender identity or pronoun preferences. This policy also mandates that parents be notified if a student requests to use a different name or pronouns at school, and parental consent must be given for any changes to be acknowledged.
The decision has sparked protests from students, with some accusing the district of prioritizing a political agenda over student well-being. High school senior Kennedy Schultz criticized the policy during a public comment session, while another senior, Madison Hickman, condemned it as fostering an environment of “fear and isolation” for vulnerable students.
Despite objections and a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that the policy is discriminatory, the school board approved the measure. Keller ISD previously faced controversy in 2022 for pulling several books, including the Bible, from its shelves for review.
